www.RantSports.com 2010 NFL Picks: Week 2
September 17, 2010 by Dan Parzych
Filed under AFC, AFC East, AFC North, AFC South, AFC West, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Exclusive, Featured, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, NFC, NFC East, NFC North, NFC South, NFC West, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Uncategorized, Washington Redskins
Week 1 of the 2010 NFL season surpassed all expectations when it came to all of the excitement and upsets (and a controversial rule in the Lions-Bears game). There were teams who surprised us and teams who disappointed us, but at the end of the day, we have to remember that it was just one game. There is still plenty of football left in the 2010 season and it’s time to move on to the following week.
Each week, myself (8-8 during Week 1), Jeric Griffin from TheCowboysCentral.com (8-8 during Week 1), and Johnny Crosskey from BucsPost.com (7-9 during Week 1) will provide their picks and analysis to provide readers with information about what to expect for that particular week.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions
Even without Kevin Kolb, the Eagles are far-more talented than the Lions on both sides of the ball. Michael Vick looked like the Michael Vick from a few years ago against the Packers last weekend and has finally earned the chance he’s been waiting for to start at quarterback.
Eagles: Dan, Jeric, Johnny Lions: None
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Ravens’ defense came up big in a 10-9 win over the Jets on Monday night. A 2-0 start would be huge considering it would come after playing two playoff contenders on the road, but the Bengals will be hungry for a win after last week’s 38-24 embarrassing loss to the Patriots. What’s even more interesting: Carson Palmer is 8-3 all-time against Baltimore
Ravens: Jeric, Johnny Bengals: Dan
Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons
After last weekend’s disappointing overtime loss to the Steelers, don’t be surprised if the Falcons come out firing against the Cardinals–who barely escaped a win against the Rams in Week 1–on Sunday. Atlanta’s defense looked impressive and the offense is loaded with plenty of talent, which could mean a long afternoon for Arizona.
Cardinals: None Falcons: Dan, Jeric, Johnny
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers
A lot of questions entering this matchup between these two NFC South rivals. Panther quarterback Matt Moore may be facing the most pressure after his disasterous performance against the Giants last weekend. Lucky for him, he should bounce back against a young Buccaneers squad. Otherwise, Carolina fans will be calling for Jimmy Clausen to take over the starting job.
Buccaneers: Johnny Panthers: Dan, Jeric
Kansas City Chiefs vs.Cleveland Browns
The Chiefs pulled off one of the biggest upsets during Week 1 after their 21-14 win over the Chargers on Monday Night Football. If they can perform as well as they did against San Diego (especially with better weather conditions), their matchup against Cleveland should be no problem. But then again, the Browns contain one of the best fan bases in the country and the Dawg Pound is never an easy place to play in.
Chiefs: Dan, Jeric, Johnny Browns: None
Chicago Bears vs. Dallas Cowboys
If the Bears’ offensive line performs at the same level as they did against the Lions, Jay Cutler could be in for a long afternoon. Don’t be surprised if the Cowboys’ offense comes out firing after last weekend’s outing against the Redskins.
Bears: Johnny Cowboys: Dan, Jeric
Buffalo Bills vs.Green Bay Packers
Even with Ryan Grant out for the season with an ankle injury, there’s no reason why the Packers shouldn’t have their way against the Bills on their home field. Green Bay has too many weapons on both sides of the ball and is coming off an impressive road win against Philadelphia in Week 1.
Bills: None Packers: Dan, Jeric, Johnny
Miami Dolphins vs. Minnesota Vikings
Miami’s offense struggled last weekend against Buffalo and faces a tough challenge against a well-rested Minnesota squad. The Vikings’ offense managed just nine points against the Saints on opening night. Expect them to come out firing in their first game at Mall of America Field.
Dolphins: None Vikings: Dan, Jeric, Johnny
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tennessee Titans
The Steelers came up on the winning end of an intense defensive battle against the Falcons while the Titans had no problem against the Raiders in Week 1. This may be one of the most interesting matchups to keep an eye on in Week 2–especially with how Vince Young and Chris Johnson perform against Pittsburgh’s defense.
Steelers: None Titans: Dan, Jeric, Johnny
Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos
Who would have expected the Seahawks to win as much as they did against the 49ers? This week will prove whether or not they are the real deal. As for Denver, they look to bounce back after a tough 24-17 loss to Jacksonville.
Seahawks: Jeric, Johnny Broncos: Dan
St. Louis Rams vs. Oakland Raiders
Get excited Rams fans; Sam Bradford is already showing high potential as a young quarterback. It should be interesting to see how he performs during his first road game in an extrememly hostile environment.
Rams: None Raiders: Dan, Jeric, Johnny
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
Tom Brady showed us once again just how dominant he can be as the leader of the Patriots. As for the Jets, their offense has a lot to work on after Monday night’s performance against the Ravens.
Patriots: Dan, Jeric, Johnny Jets: None
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. San Diego Chargers
After a slow start, the Chargers fell short of a late rally against the Chiefs to lose their opener 21-14. The poor performance on offense can be blamed by the sloppy conditions, but San Diego will have a chance to redeem themselves against Jacksonville at home.
Jaguars: None Chargers: Dan, Jeric, Johnny
Houston Texans vs. Washington Redskins
Props to the Texans after they not only defeated, but crushed Peyton Manning and the Colts. They finished 2009 on a strong note and appear ready to make a strong run at their first postseason appearance–if they can survive the league’s toughest schedule. As for the Redskins, they deserve credit after holding off the Cowboys in an exciting Sunday night opener. Unfortunately, they may be in for a long game against Houston this week.
Texans: Dan, Jeric, Johnny Redskins: None
New York Giants vs. Indianapolis Colts
You know it’s going to be a fun matchup when the Manning brothers are going to square off against one another. Peyton won the first matchup and will anxious to help his team bounce back after a disappointing 34-24 loss to the Texans. As for Eli and company, they looked a little shaky in the first half against the Panthers, but still managed to pull through with 31-18 win.
Giants: None Colts: Dan, Jeric, Johnny
New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers
Did anyone expect that embarassing loss by the 49ers? If they are going to take the NFC West like most analysts are predicting, they’ll need to make adjustment on both offense and defense. The Saints on the other hand showed the world why they’re the defending Super Bowl champions in their win against the Vikings.
Saints: Dan, Jeric, Johnny 49ers: None
Dan Parzych is the Lead NFL Content Editor for www.RantSports.com/NFL, where he writes and edits NFL content for www.RantSports.com.